La Liga: Real Madrid 0 – 1 Atlético

Atleti make history with win over eternal rivals on derby day

Griezmann celebrates scoring the only goal of the game against Real Madrid

A second-half goal from Antoine Griezmann was enough to see Atlético Madrid come out on top at the Santiago Bernabeu this afternoon, effectively ending Real Madrid’s title-hopes.

It’s the third season in a row that Atlético Madrid had won in the league at the home of their eternal rivals, and it’s now six league games without defeat against Real Madrid. It’s also the first time in the history of the Spanish league that a team has beaten Real Madrid at the Bernabeu three seasons in a row.

Real enjoyed a lot of the ball in the opening first half, but failed to really create too many opportunities. Atleti, on the other hand, were happy to try to catch their neighbours on the counter and looked threatening when they had the ball.

Both goalkeepers had saves to make in the first half. Oblak beat away a free kick from Cristiano Ronaldo on the 30-minute mark, after a bullet shot from around 25 yards out.

Some great link-up play from Koke and Saúl puts Griezmann in a fantastic position, but the Frenchman’s strike from outside the box pulls a brilliant save from Keylor Navas.

The Costa Rican was tested again as Koke took a shot from a tight angle, but the goalkeeper got low and pushed it out for a corner.

The first major chance of the second half came just two minutes in, and it was Cristiano Ronaldo who dragged a shot to the left of Jan Oblak’s right-hand post.

Seven minutes into the second half, Atlético ended a goal-drought of 323 minutes as they took the lead through Antoine Griezmann.

Atlético were attacking four on three, Real letting Griezmann run at the their defence and after a fantastic one-two with Filipe Luís, the Frenchman manages to stroke the ball into the back of Keylor Navas’ net to give Atleti the opening goal.

Zidane reacted by taking out James Rodríguez in favour of Lucas Vásquez, whilst Atlético continued to attack on the counter. Antoine Griezmann beat four players with a lovely individual move and played in Saúl, but the youngster was unable to put in an effective cross into the Real Madrid box.

There followed an excellent chance for Atlético to double the lead after Griezmann nodded down Juanfran’s cross into the path of Saúl, but Keylor Navas made himself big to block the Spaniard’s shot.

The Bernabeu became louder as the crowd grew more agitated, but Ronaldo was given the perfect opportunity to bring Real Madrid back on level terms.

A cross from Carvajal found Ronaldo in the middle of Giménez and Godín, unmarked, but the forward’s jumping header was straight into the welcome arms of Jan Oblak.

Real Madrid’s final change came as Jesé was brought on in place of Isco with twenty minutes to go. Real Madrid were getting enough of the ball were so far failing to convert any chances that had fallen their way.

Mayoral took a swiping shot after a Jesé knockdown but Oblak managed to palm the soft strike away into the path of Juanfran to clear.

Atleti had all three substitutions left as the game approached the final fifteen minutes. Zidane had already made all three of his changes and his team looked fresher, continuing to get the ball into dangerous positions.

The referee waved away a penalty shout from Real Madrid on Gabi, who was extremely lucky not to concede a spot-kick for his challenge on Danilo.

Augusto’s race was run in the 76th minute, as the midfielder departed after suffering from cramp. It was the ex-Celta midfielder’s first appearance since picking up the knee ligament injury against Barcelona. Kranevitter took the Spaniard’s place in the Atleti midfield.

Fernando Torres made way with ten minutes left and Ángel Correa made an appearance, looking to inject some fresh legs into the Atlético attack as they looked to close the game out.

Danilo had the chance to level the score in the 88th minute, but he dragged his shot wide of Oblak’s left-hand post as Real Madrid tried to catch Atleti at their own game on the counter-attack.

The game turned a bit sour towards the end of the match. Ramos picked up a booking for a clattering tackle on Gabi. Carvajal saw yellow, as did Correa for a clumsy challenge on Danilo.

The game ticked down to a close, and there were a lot of empty seats when the referee blew for full-time. Fantastic result for Atlético, who pray for a Sevilla win against Barcelona tomorrow.

Super sweet, nothing more to add. When you win against Real details dont matter.

Kris

Ahhahha, if this was any other match, I would’ve written a long ass comment on what we could have done better, but fuck we beat Real at home for three seasons in a row. Winning against Real Madrid gives every Atletico a great sense of pleasure that is hard to find elsewhere. Fucking great man. I love it. Aupa Atleti!

aileen

Perfect match.Even a defensive mode developed by Simeone hasn`t disturbed us to beat Real. Atletico presented discipline, we were careful, aware of danger created in a penalty area. Real presenting the same as always : stupid tackles, diving and lack of accuracy.